Improvement in holdbacks for vehicles



O BROTHEBS,J1- Hold-Backs for Vehicles.

Nb. 206,221 Patented July 23,1878.

UNITE OLIVER BROTHERS, JR, OF NORTH HARTLAND, VERMONT, ASSIGNOR TOHIMSELF AXD IIENRYD. DUNBAR, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPRQVEMENT IN HOLDBACKS FOR VEHICLES.

I Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 206,221, dated July23, 1878; application filed June 17, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, OLIVER BROTHERS,J1., of North Hartland, in thecounty of YVindsor and State of Vermont, have invented certainImprovements in Holdbacks for Vehicles, of which the following is afull, clear, and exact description, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, making part of this specification, in whichFigure 1 is a perspective view of aportion of a shaft with my improvedholdback applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectionthrough the center of the same when closed. Fig. 3 is a similar section,the holdback being represented open to receive the holdback-strap.

My invention has for its object to provide a means whereby theholdback-straps of a harness may be readily detached from the holdbacksof the shafts by the forward movement of the horse after the traces havebeen liberated from the whiffletrce; and my invention consists in ametal plate provided with a projection and an arm, at or near the top ofwhich is pivoted an angular latch or lever, the front portion of whichis brought down upon the projection, so as to close the space between itand the top of the arm when the holdbackstrap is drawn against the rearportion of the angular latch or lever, while the pressure of theholdback-strap against the front portion of the latch will raise it, andthus allow the strap to disengage itself from the holdback; and,further, in constructing the foot of the angular latch with abifurcation, as hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

To enable others skilled in the art to understand and use my invention,I will proceed to describe the manner in which I have carried it out.

In the said drawings, A represents a narrow metal plate, which issecured to the shaft B of the vehicle by screws a a. From the rear ofthe plate A rises an inclined arm, I),

between bifurcations at the top of which is pivoted, at 6, an angularlever 0r latch, G, the

, rear portion, (1, of which fits into a groove or onto, a roundedprojection, g, rising from the plate A, and thus nearly closing thespace between this projection and the portion f, so as to confine theholdback-strap D in place within the holdback, as seen in Fig. 1.

From the lower end of the rear portion, (7, of the latch 0 projects abifurcated foot-piece, 71, which fits snugly over a rib, i, on the uppersurface of the plate A, the friction between the two being sufficient tohold the latch 0 down in case the pivot 6 should wear loose.

\Vhen the holdback-strap D is in place within the holdback, as seen inFig. 1, and any backward strain is brought upon it by the horse, it willbear firmly against the rear portion, (I, of the latch, and thussecurely hold the front portion, f, nearly down upon the projection g,so as to prevent any liability of the strap becoming detached; and thisstrap also lies upon and presses down on the foot-piece h, which thusaffords additional security against the raising of the latch.

The inner side of the projection g serves as a stop, against which theholdback-strap strikes in its ordinary movements when the horse istraveling, and the liability of the latch being lifted thereby, as mightoccur if the projection 9 were dispensed with and the portion f of thelatch extended down to the plate A, is thus entirely avoided.

hen the traces have been detached from the whiffletree and the horsesteps forward, the shafts are drawn out of their supportingloops, andthe holdback-strap D 011 each side is then brought against the frontportion,f, of the latch O of the holdback, and exerts an upward pressurethereon sufficient to lift it, and thus allow of the escape of thestrap, when the horse will be entirely free from the vehicle, theholdback being left with the latch O in the position seen in Fig. 3, sothat in harnessing it is merely necessary to place the loop of theholdback-strap over the portion f and against the portion (1 and closethe latch by pulling back the strap or pressing down the portionf towardthe projection g; or, if the latch should be accidentally left open, thefirst backward strain on the holdback will instantly close the latch andprevent the escape of the strap.

The above-described self-operatin g holdback FFIcE.

is especially adapted for use in connection with structed to operatesubstantially in the mana device for enabling the occupant of avehiclener and for the purpose set forth. to detach the traces from thewhiffletree,where- 2. In combination with the plate A, rib i and by, incase of accident, the horse can be inarm I), the angular latch G, protided with the stantly set free; but my improved holdback bifurcatedfoot-piece h, substantially as and for can be used without such device,if desired. the purpose set forth.

hat I claim as my invention, and desire to Witness my hand this 12th dayof June, A. secure by Letters Patent, isr D. 1878.

1. The within-described self-operatinghold- OLIVER BROTHER-S, JR.

back, consisting of the plate A, with its arm I) In presence of andprojection g,"in combination with the angular latch G, pivoted to thearm I), and con- H. It. MILLER, C. G. GRIFFIN.

